Young Echo have been taking us to new levels since Jabu and Killing Sound launched the No Corner label with a live cassette back in 2012. With close ties to the ever awesome RwdFwd store and Tape-Echo, the Bristol collective have since expanded in to an eleven piece embedded in to their city’s DIY scene, with the rest of the world constantly catching up.
The host of alias’ within Young Echo sometimes makes it hard to keep track of who’s on what project. Kahn & Neek, El Kid, Vessel, Rider Shafique, ASDA and the now trio Jabu are among those that consistently make it in to our collection as individuals or groups; buy-on site records guaranteed by the Young Echo quality. Despite differing levels of release schedules and live shows these are producers and vocalist who are constantly moving sound. In showing up for this collaborative full-length, however, they managed to channel the live experimental vibes that grabbed our attention six years ago and build on it once again.
Nexus – the collective’s debut full-length – was released on Ramp Recordings back in 2013. It felt like the perfect debut album at the time, a compilation ‘Best Of’ made up of brand new tracks from all involved. Five years on and releasing via their own imprint, Young Echo seemingly go back to capture the rough experimental soundsystem feel that carried across their marathon radio sessions, fondly remembered by many.
Despite it’s experimental nature the LP keeps a tight thread on it’s overall sound, which is distinctly more chill than we probably would have expected. No complaints though, as the tracks are a proper journey, beautifully rough in areas weighted in a love of heavy dub music and filtered drums. Asda vocalist Chester Giles and MC Rider Shafique are inimitable forces on this record, both able to shift a track to put you on edge at a moment’s notice before washy synths float you back to comfort again. The depth of the album guarantees multiple relistens, as what might even seem abrasive at first might become soulful spiritual energy the next time around.
Pressed on double heavyweight vinyl and wrapped up beautifully with sleeve design from O$VMV$M and Joshua Hughes-Games. Interestingly, and unlike their previous full length the crew have kept individual track credits under wraps. Check the full press release below via RwdFwd where you can still pick up a copy.
A culmination of collaborations and combined studio sessions, Young Echo are now finally ready to present their next LP.
Spread across two 180g discs, spanning 24 cuts and served in a gatefold sleeve designed by members and affiliates, the Young Echo LP is a capsule intended for cementation through time.
It’s been almost five years since their last album has been released.
As a group, extended radio submissions, prolonged studio sessions and notorious club nights make up the cogs of time.
Over the course of these years, the network has grown continually, both as one, and with singular, multi-directional paths from each of the 11 artists that make up the Young Echo collective, counting Jabu, Vessel, Kahn, Neek, Ishan Sound, Ossia, Manonmars, Bogues, Rider Shafique, chester giles and Jasmine towards the crew, with projects such as Bandulu, FuckPunk, O$VMV$M, Gorgon Sound and ASDA adding to the table in their individual ways.
However, this record aims not to be judged on any single producer or vocalist.
It is most effective as a whole, simply titled Young Echo…
Of course each of the artists has an important part to play, but it is very much about the act of balance, accepting individualism to form a greater whole.
A good example is the welcome addition of new energy coming from Jasmine (1/3 of Jabu) who injects endless space with her vocals, perfectly answered by the cool-killin’ wordplay of Manonmars – who makes his long awaited debut here – sharing stage with the immediate poetry of ASDA’s very own chester giles, along the mighty sound of Rider Shafique, and Bogues’ versatile style that can flit between rap & song within seconds. Five very different vocalists that could’ve tried to find a compromise, but instead choose to connect in different ways, finding their niche in the equal range of rhythms and sounds that sprawl in this shared space, the juxtaposition.
The Young Echo LP is here –
Detuned soundsystem stylings, love songs swaying in hacked up ambience, skeletal dancehall, microphone technique, dread electronics, outsider pop, this record manifests the outcome of the shapeshifting anarchy which rears it’s head when no one idea can rule, embracing the diversities when one path must be made up of many.
Gatefold sleeve, designed by O$VMV$M & Joshua Hughes-Games.
2 x 12″, heavyweight 180gsm discs.
Mastered by Lewis at Stardelta, pressed at Optimal.